HAN Automotive Engineering Students at the 2014 Dakar Rally

HAN University of Applied Sciences is the first institution of its kind to participate in the world-famous Dakar Rally.

Work began in 2008 on the HAN car, which has since been designed, developed and built entirely by students of the Bachelor in Automotive Engineering. Two hundred students lent a hand over the years. 

The 35th running of the Dakar race saw competitors travel more than 4,970 miles during their journey over extreme terrain in three countries in South America. Competitors and support crews from over 50 countries challenged their mechanical, driving and orienteering skills. 

On New Year's Day 2014 the HAN team arrived in Buenos Aires for their big adventure. The 2014 rally was from 5 - 18 January 2014, starting in Rosario, Argentina, and finishing in Valparaiso, Chile.

In recent months the HAN GO4 car has taken part in rallies in Russia and Morocco, with the participating students responsible for its everyday maintenance. Despite technical malfunctions that saw them pull out of the Morocco rally, the students managed to deliver the car on time and race-ready to Buenos Aires.

The enthusiasm was tangible among the student participants of 'Dakar 2014'. This project served as their internship assignment for their degree. As everything was low budget, dedication was key; the main objective was to reach the finish line in Valparaiso.

Maximum of 4 hours’ sleep per day

'We start each day of the Dakar Rally by taking down the tent', says Chris Lanting (pictured on the right), project leader and fourth-year student of Automotive Engineering. 'At that point the driver and the navigator have already taken off in the car for that day’s leg. The remaining 5 of us pack everything up and drive around 500 kilometres to the next rest point. Four of us nap en route; that way you get about 3 to 4 hours’ sleep each day.'

At the next location, work starts immediately. 'We set up camp again, the driver of the support car sleeps and we eat in pairs, because someone always has to be on standby. The car usually turns up soon after, and it goes up on the jack straight away.'

'We discuss how the day went with the driver and the navigator, who then go to bed. Then we draw up a maintenance plan and the mechanics get to work to make sure the car is ready for the next leg. The following day, we start all over again. It’s great fun, but it’s no holiday!'

The HAN BEng Automotive Engineering degree course is offered in English. Find out more here.

Read more about HAN students at the Dakar Rally here.